Silent Killers: AnxietySample

The threat of shadows 

In the scripture we’re reading today, the psalmist is writing a reminder to himself (and to us) that God is with him. He calls God his shepherd, his guide. He also reminds us that God is with us in the valley of the shadow of death, or the low points in our lives. It’s interesting how he notes that death is a shadow. Have you ever been afraid of a shadow, only to realize that it was nothing? The devil uses shadows to make us believe that danger is near and that he can overcome us. Here are some shadows that the devil may be using to threaten you:  

The shadow of dependency - We are told so often that we should be able to handle all that life throws at us on our own and that we should be independent. The devil uses the shadow of dependency to try to isolate us from community, and ultimately from Jesus, where there is safety. When actually, dependency on Jesus is the core of our Christian walk, and dependency on community is how we walk strongly through life. When we realize that we are dependent, we are pushed closer to God and to His church. 

The shadow of doubt - The devil uses doubt to cause friction in our faith, making it seem like God is not “holding up His end of the bargain.” Having doubts may seem like a Christian “no-no”, but actually doubt can push us deeper into our faith. When we get real, ask God tough questions and genuinely seek answers, God responds to our doubts with answers and peace. In turn, our convictions deepen and our trust in Him rises.  

The shadow of death - The biggest weapon that the enemy uses is making you feel that your death is imminent. He lies and tries to get you to believe that you’re going to die. But the truth is that Jesus took away the sting of death, and through Him we have eternal life. 

Everything Satan does today is a shadow threat. If you’re a Christian, he can’t even take your life! To be absent from this body is not death for a Christian, it’s the step we take into eternal life with Jesus. The devil tries to make us scared of these shadows, but we need to realize that they are only shadows and God is with us in those valleys. 

Action Step: What are some shadows that you notice that the devil is using against you? What are truths that you can use to combat those shadows? Write a prayer asking God to be your guide as you walk through those shadows.